Integrated assessment analyses of the impact of endocrine disruptors on environment and health
Our research activity is focused on mechanistic aspects of endocrine disruption and its resulting effects on organisms and populations. We are interested in better understanding of the interaction between environmental organic contaminants, including emerging pollutants, and organism's health by investigating a wide spectrum of aspects such as reproduction, energy metabolism, and immune system especially through toxicogenomic approaches.
Projects are mainly focused on marine organisms (both vertebrates and invertebrates) but specific studies on rodents and humans are also performed. Studies are carried out using integrated methods ranging from in silico/in vitro/in vivo models to field studies.
Key areas of research include: 1) investigating nuclear receptor-mediated toxicity of hormonally active compounds; 2) understanding the role of MicroRNAs (miRNAs) in mediating the direct and the indirect effects of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs); 3) quantifying the impacts of emerging contaminants including microplastics on the health of aquatic ecosystems.
Keywords - ENGLISH
endocrine disrupting chemicals; metabolic disruptors; aquatic pollution; nuclear receptors; toxicogenomics; ecotoxicology; molecular biomarkers.
Active participants in the research line (PI last author or *)
Paolo Cocci; Gilberto Mosconi; Martina Capriotti; Mauro Angeletti; Francesco Alessandro Palermo
External Collaborations
Department of Biology - University of Trondheim- NTNU; Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin; Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara; National Research Council, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies (CNR IRBIM); Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia.
Pillar
Environmental Sustainability
Macroareas in Environmental Sustainability
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function
Relevant research grants (national/international) funding specifically this Research Line
European Commission – Maritime Affairs and Fisheries - Call for proposals MARE/2012/25 - Preparatory Action "Guardians of the Sea"; PRIN 2010-2011: “Turmoil exerted by endocrine disruptors in vertebrates: emerging aspects in the induction of obesity and reproductive activity alteration”; Fondo di Ateneo per la Ricerca (FAR) PROPOSAL 2019 (University of Camerino); PRIN 2008: "The role of endocannabinoid system in the xenoestrogens induced stress response in experimental models of teleosts".
Email Address
francesco.palermo@unicam.it
Link to Relevant Publications